Prosecution Insights
Last updated: August 30, 2026
Application No. 19/243,289

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

Non-Final OA §101
Filed
Jun 19, 2025
Priority
Mar 28, 2022 — JP 2022-051010 +2 more
Examiner
BANH, DAVID H
Art Unit
2853
Tech Center
2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems
Assignee
Canon Inc.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
72%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
1y 6m
Est. Remaining
84%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 72% — above average
72%
Career Allowance Rate
621 granted / 867 resolved
+3.6% vs TC avg
Moderate +12% lift
Without
With
+12.5%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 8m
Avg Prosecution
15 currently pending
Career history
892
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
1.3%
-38.7% vs TC avg
§103
54.3%
+14.3% vs TC avg
§102
24.4%
-15.6% vs TC avg
§112
15.0%
-25.0% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 867 resolved cases

Office Action

§101
CTNF 19/243,289 CTNF 84661 DETAILED ACTION Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status 07-03-aia AIA 15-10-aia The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA. Double Patenting 08-30 AIA A rejection based on double patenting of the “same invention” type finds its support in the language of 35 U.S.C. 101 which states that “whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process... may obtain a patent therefor...” (Emphasis added). Thus, the term “same invention,” in this context, means an invention drawn to identical subject matter. See Miller v. Eagle Mfg. Co. , 151 U.S. 186 (1894); In re Vogel , 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Ockert , 245 F.2d 467, 114 USPQ 330 (CCPA 1957). A statutory type (35 U.S.C. 101) double patenting rejection can be overcome by canceling or amending the claims that are directed to the same invention so they are no longer coextensive in scope. The filing of a terminal disclaimer cannot overcome a double patenting rejection based upon 35 U.S.C. 101. 08-31 AIA Claim 1 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 as claiming the same invention as that of claim 1 of prior U.S. Patent No. 12,025,940 . This is a statutory double patenting rejection. The claims present to be essentially identical verbatim. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to DAVID H BANH whose telephone number is (571)270-3851. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 12-8PM. Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Stephen Meier can be reached at (571)272-2149. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /DAVID H BANH/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2853 Application/Control Number: 19/243,289 Page 2 Art Unit: 2853 Application/Control Number: 19/243,289 Page 3 Art Unit: 2853
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Jun 19, 2025
Application Filed
Jun 16, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §101 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12717262
IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND SHEET BONDING APPARATUS
2y 3m to grant Granted Aug 25, 2026
Patent 12715720
SHEET FEEDER, IMAGE READING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
2y 0m to grant Granted Aug 25, 2026
Patent 12715042
DISTORTION MITIGATION IN DIRECTED ENERGY DEPOSITION
1y 8m to grant Granted Aug 25, 2026
Patent 12704015
MEDIUM TRANSPORT DEVICE AND RECORDING DEVICE
1y 12m to grant Granted Aug 11, 2026
Patent 12699334
ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PHOTORECEPTOR, ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PHOTORECEPTOR CARTRIDGE, AND IMAGE FORMING DEVICE
3y 3m to grant Granted Aug 04, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
72%
Grant Probability
84%
With Interview (+12.5%)
2y 8m (~1y 6m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 867 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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